Obese people with atrial fibrillation can reduce or reverse the effects of the condition by losing weight

21st June 2018

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Published in the heart journal Europace, the researchers found that a 10% loss in weight along with management of associated risk factors, can reverse the progression of the disease. They studied 355 overweight or obese people who lost varying amounts of weight.

The research was led by the Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders at the University of Adelaide, Australia, and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).

“This is the first time that evidence has been found that if people who are obese and are suffering from atrial fibrillation the disease can be alleviated by losing weight and treating lifestyle factors,” says lead author Melissa Middeldorp, researcher from the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders.

“AF is a progressive disease in which initial short, intermittent symptoms develop into more sustained forms of the condition. Obesity and lifestyle factors are associated with its progression,” says Middeldorp.

“The study showed that if obese people lose more than 10% of their weight and subsequent management of other risks to their lifestyle, they can reverse the progression of the disease. People who lost weight experienced fewer symptoms, required less treatment and had better outcomes. Those who previously had sustained symptoms experienced only intermittent symptoms or indeed stopped experiencing AF entirely,” says Middeldorp.

“Progression of the disease is shown to have a direct link with the degree of weight loss. Without weight loss, there is a progression of AF to more persistent forms of AF.”

The Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders is led by Prash Sanders, world leader in atrial fibrillation research.

“This study shows that weight-loss and treating lifestyle factors is an essential component for effectively managing AF, in many instances being an alternative to surgery or drug intervention. Melissa’s work has widespread implications for the management of this disease globally and is good news for people with the condition,” says Sanders.

“With record levels of obesity in Australia and in most high-income countries, this study gives hope that obese people can have a better quality of life as well as reducing their dependence on health-care services if they lose weight.”